Eight reptiles were killed after the blaze ripped through two enclosures at the zoo on 26 March (15) and pets which were once housed at the King of Pop's Neverland Ranch in California were among the dead.

Joe Schreibvogel, the park's founder and spokesman, tells The Oklahoman, "When they closed down Neverland Ranch and auctioned off his property, they asked us to come get all the reptiles and alligators and other stuff."

"The building can be replaced, the equipment can be replaced, but Michael Jackson's alligators cannot be replaced."

Police are investigating the blaze, amid allegations animal rights activists may have been responsible for the attack, but cops have yet to make any arrests.

Garvin County Sheriff Larry Rhodes says, "Many times an arson fire may be used to cover a burglary or a theft to destroy evidence. And that is a very strong possibility in this case."